The 2003 winner of “American Idol” and runner up on “The Celebrity Apprentice” is “actively considering” a run as a Democrat for the 2nd Congressional District in North Carolina, according to the Washington Blade.

If he won, Aiken would join another reality star in Congress, of Wisconsin, who appeared on “The Real World: Boston” and a “Road Rules” spinoff.

It’s another sign of how reality TV and politics are starting to bleed together.

• Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, a Texas Republican known as “The Hammer,” also appeared on that show.

• Toronto Mayor Rob Ford after winning election, though it was canceled after one episode.

• A member of the UK Parliament on “I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here.”

From a certain angle, political campaigns were the first reality shows. Contestants, er, candidates, do various embarrassing things (calling donors for money, flipping pancakes at fundraisers) as they try to make it through various stages of a competition (fundraising, party primary, general election) to win the ultimate prize.

Even if Clay Aiken doesn’t run for Congress, could “The Real World: Capitol Hill” be far behind?